Of Mouse and Men ... err actually of Mouse and other critters

[Tush Hog]

I posted the first part over in the books section and I'm crossposting it here. The second part deals with rpg specifics.


I began reading the Dresden novels a few months ago and I can't believe I didn't find these sooner! I'm about halfway through Proven Guilty right now. Being a dog lover myself, I'm quite enamored with Mouse. So far, there hasn't been any specific mention of his breed though there are some clues.

I realize he is special, but I imagine him being a Tibetan Mastiff. They're huge (up to 220 lbs) and known for their ferocity as guard dogs in that region. I think it's interesting that in some of the kennel guidebooks they're described as having a voice as powerful as a lion. Which, I believe is hinted at in one of the books when Mouse cuts loose. They also have a lion mane look to them as well - which I believe is also mentioned in Mouse's description.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dogs/tibetan_mastiff/classifieds/1897.html
Has there ever been more specifics given on Mouse?

As far as the rpg is concerned, since I'm new to Fate I'm not sure how something like Mouse would be represented ability wise in the game. I've seen character pc writeups but how would you handle critters? Same format? What would Mouse look like?

Thanks

[TheMouse]

There are rules for minions which would be used to cover something like Mouse. I am guessing that they're going to use these.

Minions are purchased as Stunts, and each purchase allows for a number of points which can be added to aspects of the minion. You can give them skills, be able to communicate over a distance, or whatever. If a given character is built using the skill purchasing options, they'll have a list of skills (with respective ratings).

[iago]

Mouse is practically a full character in his own right.  Minion?  No.

[TheMouse]

I can just imagine that conversation at the game table.

GM: Okay, what do you want to make?

Player A: Oh, I was thinking of a White Court vamp. He mostly hunts at parties at the local university.

GM: Alright. Sounds good. How about you?

Player B: Well, I was thinking of playing a dog.

GM: Uhhh...

Player B: A MAGICAL dog.

[iago]

Yeah.  In my game, Mouse (like Bob) would be an NPC that Harry happens to know. But that's just how I'd run things.

[Tush Hog]

Yeah.  In my game, Mouse (like Bob) would be an NPC that Harry happens to know. But that's just how I'd run things.

Yep. That sounds about right to me.

[Tush Hog]

Mouse is practically a full character in his own right.  Minion?  No.

Yes, Mouse deserves full treatment!  Do you have plans to include him stat-wise in the game? Will there be pointers on how to create critters (the regular kind and special) in the book?

[prophet224]

I'd like to second that (that Mouse = NPC).

Seriously, I'm thinking that Mouse is a lot more than just magical dog, and he stays around for a reason, not just for treats, you know?  I mean, as I understand it (or as it looks to me), Mouse isn't just magical, he's somewhat divine.

I imagine that there will be some form of stunt/skill set or template to account for something like Mouse, just like to account for Bob and the various other creatures that are encountered.

[iago]

We'll be statting as much as we can stat from a fair reading of the books.

[Valarian]

Hi, I've recently come to the Dresden Files series and as an avid roleplayer I'm looking forward to the release of the game.

On topic, is a Tibetan Mastiff the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog?
I think with the recent references in the books, it's likely that Mouse is a Foo Dog (Temple Guardian).

There's some more details in the following links.
WARNING: the following links may contain SPOILER information

(click to show/hide)

http://dresdenfiles.wikidot.com/mouse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Dresden_Files_characters#Mouse

[Shecky]

Well, if he's a foo, he's a BIG foo.

[Valarian]

Looks pretty big to me, or am I just a wimp?

[Tush Hog]

Hi, I've recently come to the Dresden Files series and as an avid roleplayer I'm looking forward to the release of the game.

On topic, is a Tibetan Mastiff the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog?
I think with the recent references in the books, it's likely that Mouse is a Foo Dog (Temple Guardian).

The Tibetan Mastiff is not the same breed as a Chinese Foo Dog.

[Gathers Scrolls]

There's also the paired 'foo dog'/lion statues that are supposed to be guardians, I've also seen concrete ones outside of Chinese restaurants. I think those satues were supposed to be what the foo dog breed was supposed to look like, only in a compact model (unless wikipedia has led me astray) .
Most teeny dogs I've seen seem to think they're the size of Mouse.

[Melkarion]

Seriously, I'm thinking that Mouse is a lot more than just magical dog, and he stays around for a reason, not just for treats, you know?  I mean, as I understand it (or as it looks to me), Mouse isn't just magical, he's somewhat divine.

One of my favorite things about Mouse, actually, is that's he's blatantly "just" a dog.  A scarily smart dog, sure.  Person-smart, easily, and probably smarter than lots of people.  And gifted with a sort of anti-monster moxie.  But still emphatically a dog in the way he behaves, his priorities, etc.  Hilarious, and (I think) really convincingly done.

One of my favorite characters from the classic "So You Want To Be A Wizard" series was much the same way.